Bilge-water indicator



No Model.)

J. F. SMETHELLS.

BILGE WATER INDICATOR.

Patented Jan. 5, 1886.

N. PETERS. Phow-Lnhogmphw. waihingwm DA C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

JOHN F. SMETHELLS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

BlLGE-WATER INDICATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.333,686, dated January 5, 1886.

Application tiled October 15, 1885.

To aZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, J oHN F. SMETHELLS, of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain Improvements in Bilge-Water Indicators, of which the following is a specification.

My said invention will be fully described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which" Figure l represents a cross vertical section of a boat or vessel with my improved device D in position for use in the same; Fig. 2, a central vertical section of my device, taken at right angles to the view shown iu Fig. 3, which latter figure shows a front elevation of the same; and Fig. 4 a detail view showing a cross-section.

A indicates one of the decks of the boat; B, the bilge of the same, and C the bilgewater therein, and D my entire device mounted upon deck A; E, an air-pipe leading up from the bilge into the base G, where it is attached by screw-threads, so as to make au air-tight joint.

The base G is provided with a cup-like projection. O, having an opening through it, the projection being provided with a screwthread, by means of which the pipe F is fastened therein, and that pipe conducts the air thus from the bilge and discharges it from its upper end into the hollow cylinder H. The hollow cylinder is screwed into the base G, as shown, and the latter is provided with a chamber for the oil M, which extends some distance in the cylinder and into the glass pipe K, as shown in Fig. 2.

I is a screw-cap provided with a flange, I. It is screwed down upon the upper end of the cylinder, and makes an air-tight joint therewith, and it is provided with iiange I, which has a round vert-ical opening therein for the transparent glass tube K, and an oblong rectangular opening for the upper end of the graduated plate L, the lower end of the plate being furnished with a suitable confining recess in the base G.

Aiixed or non-volatile oil should be employed, because itis little liable to waste by evaporation, and oil is not liable to freeze in cold weather.

The glass tube K is connected with the oilchamber in the base G by means of a suitable screw-nut upon an upward hollow projection of the base, as shown in Fig. 2. Any

Scria1No.179.913. (No model.)

suitable packing must be used to render the jointbetween the two parts oil-tight.

Now, when the bilge-water rises into the lower end of pipe E and compresses the air in that pipe and in the pipe F connected therewith, as well as in the upper portion of cylinder H, the air so compressed forces the oil in the lower end of the cylinder downward, and at the same time that in the glass tube K upward, so that its height in that tube will indicate the depth of the water in the bilge.

The plate L, properly graduated with marks and figures, and in position just behind the glass tube will always indicate in feet and inches the rise and fall of the water in the bilge.

Itis manifest that both the plate `L and the glass tube K can be easily removed for the purpose of being cleaned and then replaced in position.

NVhat I claim as my invention, aud desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination of the base G, having an oil-chamber therein, the pipe E, screwed into its bottom from below, and the pipe F, screwed into the same from above, with an open passage between the adjacent ends of the two pipes, and the hollow cylinder H, having air-tight cap I on its upper end, and its lower end screwed into the base G, adapted to conduct the compressed air forced up by the bilge-water down upon the oil in the chamber in the base G, substantially as described.

2. The described base, having an oil-chamber therein, provided with two branches and also with a vertical hole through its bottom for the pipe E, and a hollow projection, O, situated over said hole, and provided with an opening therein continuous with said hole, and a socket for the lower end of pipe F, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. The combination of the screw-cap I, having the flange I', which is provided with suitable openings through it for the upper ends of graduated plate L and glass tube K, and the base G, provided with said plateL and tube K, and also furnishing bearings for their lower ends, substantially as described.

JOHN F. SMETHELLS. Witnesses:

FRED. N. HARRIS, A.. J. ELVIG.

IOO 

